Winchburgh Community Growing Group keeps the community growing

The volunteers from Winchburgh Community Growing Group (WCGG) in West Lothian have worked hard during April to keep their local community growing, safe and healthy.

Following a cancelled community tree planting event in March WCGG launched an appeal to get local people to adopt a tree. 300 native trees in pots were given out to be looked after by residents and they will then be planted in the new public park Auldcathie when times allows.

Early April "Grow for Health" was launched on the Facebook page to encourage people to grow healthy food at home even for the first time. Seeds and soil were given away and tips and tricks such as upcycling pots and egg cartons for planting are shared regularly. WCGG also launched a new YouTube channel with resident Hazel showing how to plant potatoes.

200 strawberry plants were given out by non-contact delivery along with tomato plants donated by SRUC. A sunflower competition was launched with free giant sunflower seeds and the chance to win a little gift from WCGG.

Last, but not least the community planters have been turned into Rainbow planters to say Thank You to the NHS and all key workers. Five volunteers arranged to paint each part of the planter using paint sourced from within the village. Wearing gloves each visited the planter as part of daily exercise and completed the project in just 2 days!